Apparatus for making slide fasteners



Dec. 14, 1943. w ss 2,336,682

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed June'5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet J.

HM", Agassi-$5527 IIJUUHQ 6 INVENTOR GEORGE WINTRISS ATTORNEYS Dec. 14, 1943.

G. WlNTRlSS APPARATUS FOR MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed June 5. 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 14, 1943. w -rmss 2,336,662

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed June 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 4 GEORGE WINTRISS ATTORNEYS Dec. 14, 1943.

G. WINTRISS 2,336,662

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed June 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. [5 /92 l 1 28 A I n l2 98 h IZ6 I ll /52 m Fig. l5

INVENTOR GEORGE WINTRISS Patented Dec. 14, 1943 APPARATUS FOR MAKING SLIDE FASTENERS George Wintriss, Alex andria, Va., assignor to Conmar Products Corporation, Bayonne, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 5, 1941, Serial No. 396,661

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for making slide fasteners.

The primary object of the invention is to simplify the construction and to increase the operating speed, and to generally improve machines for it possible to grind or sharpen the punch throughout most of its working length, despite th provision of the aforesaid cross-bar at the bottom end of the punch. The elimination of the heavy spring pad contributes to reduced inertia and faster operation, and a further object of the invention is to appropriatelyand commensurately increase the operating speed of the feed means for the strip of embryo elements, this also being done, generally, by reducing inertia effects in the feed means. Another object is to simplify the structure of said feed means.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing general andother more specific objects, which will hereinafter, appear, my invention consists in the apparatus elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification, and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned plan view of the same with the ram, ram housing, rocker arm, and tape feed mechanism removed;

Fig. 3 is a section taken in elevation approximately in the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar section through the punch and ram housing, drawn to elarged scale, this section being taken approximately in the planev of the line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned front elevation of the punch, looking in the direction from the cam shaft toward the ram and ,ram housing;

Fig. 7 is a section through the punch and ram,

butshowing the relation of the parts after long wear of the punch;

Fig. 8 is a side ele ation of the punch and ram shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section through the feed lever and lock for the same, said section being taken. approximately in the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 2;

- Fig. 10 shows a part of Fig. 9, but with the feed lever unlocked;

Fig. 11 is a section taken in the same plane as Fig. 3, but showing the feed movement with the parts drawn to enlarged scale;

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the cutting operation;

Fig. 13 is a similar view but showing the return movement of the parts;

Fig. 14 is a similar view, but illustrates the parts in their end position; preparatory to the next feed movement; I

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section through the punch, and shows the 'strip of embryo fastener elements being operated on thereby; and

Fig. 16 is a plan View of the complete appara- Referring to Figs. 1 and 15, the strip of embryo fastener elements I2 is unwound from a reel it supported on a suitable stand IS. The unwinding operation is preferably gravity controlled to provide a loop of slack l8, this loop being controlled by an arm 20 pivoted at 22 and carrying a rotatable, spool-like weight 24. -The' strip I8 is fed' into an attaching machine generally deslg-' nated 26, said machine comprising means to intermittently feed the strip" in a horizontal direction toward a vertically disposed'tape 28', said tape being intermittently fed by a tape feed wheel 30. The tape with the fastener elements runs through aguide tube 32 into a basket 34. The vertically reciprocable punchwhich severs the individual elementsfrom the strip is carried in a ram housing 88 and is actuated by a rocker arm 38. All of the parts of the machine are operated by a main cam shaft 40 driven by a motor. The cam shaft, motor, and tape feed mechanism, etc., need not be described in detail, as they are sub stantially the same 'as-thosedescribed in my Patent No. 2,201,068, issued May 14, 1940, and entitled Manufacture of slide fasteners." and in my Patent No. 2,302,084, issued November 17. 1 42.

'and entitled Manufacture of slide fasteners."

The reel I4 is restrained somewhat by an ad- J'ustable brake 25 carried by stand [6 and bearing constantly'--against the periphery of reel I 4.

The static friction of the brake is somewhat- I elements. The

'cam rollers engage cams "plate 82 at the raised position shown in Fig. 1, than when it is lowered so that arm 28 is more nearly vertical. The consequent operation is that when 100p I8 becomes short, as shown in Fig. 1, the weight 24 overcomes the static friction of brake 25, and the weight descends, producing a long loop of wire. When the weight can no longer overcome even the sliding friction, the reel stops, and weight 24 is again raised until it again overcomes the static friction of brake 25. 10

Referring now to Fig. 15, the strip I2 has a series of projections 42 on its upper face, and a series of recesses on its lower surface, these corresponding to the heads of the embryo fastener side edges of the strip are serrated as indicated at 44, the serrations corresponding to the ends of spread jaws, these being so widely spread as to receive the heads of the elements therebetween. The punch which operates on the strip I2 is shown in section at 48, and moves into a die 48. The said dieis slotted at 58 to receive the beaded edge of the tape on which the fastener elements are to be secured. The endmost element which has just been severed from the strip is indicated at 52, the remainder of the strip being forced downwardly by punch 46, the effective cutting edge or which is indicated at 54, said edge outlining the head of the element. In Fig. 15, the element 52 is shown with the jaws still in spread condition, it being understood that the mac e includes a pair of clamping jaws (shown at 58 in Figs. 2 and 3) which move sidewardly to close the jaws around the bead of the tape, thereby bringing the outer edges of the jaws into substantially parallel formation.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the clamping jaws 56 are located vimmediately above the die 48. In Fig. 2, the punch the die, and the ram and ram housing have also been removed. The tape and the element strip are also omitted. The clamping jaws 58 are carried on levers 58 pivoted at 88 and having cam rollers 82 received between cylindrical cams -84, said cams being carried by the main cam shaft 48 previously referred to.

Referring to Fig. 3, the punch 48 is secured in a ram 68 which is vertically reciprocable in ram housing 38. The ram is raised by a compression spring 88 bearing against a stud l0 projecting from ram 68. The ram is operated by a birfurcated rocker or ram lever 12 pivoted at 14, and carrying cam rollers 18 at its bifurcated lower end. The ram lever is preferably made of duralumin or equivalent light-weight metal. These 18 which are mounted on cam shaft 48. The opposite end of the ram lever is provided with an adjusting screw 88 the lower end of which bears against a hardened wear top of ram 88. The purpose or screw 80 is to readjust the position of the rain to compensate for wear when the lower end of punch 48 is ground or sharpened. The feed means for the element strip (not shown) comprises a cam 84 (Fig. 2) working against a cam roller 86 mounted on feed lever 88, said lever being pivoted at 88 and carrying a feed dog 82 at its opposite end. The lever 88 is preferably made of duralumin or equivalent light-weight metal in order to minimize its inertia. A compression spring 94 holds cam roller 88 against cam 84. This sprin may be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw-95. The feed dog 92 is rigidly secured on arm 88 without any intermediate slide or similar guide means to insure rectilinear motion, these parts 76 has been removed from tending arm tend below the cutting entire length of the punch.

being omitted in order to minimize the mass of the reciprocating parts of the feed mechanism. Furthermore, the dog 82 is not pivoted for vertical movement, and instead is provided with a very small insert 88 (Fig. 3) which is pivoted on the main dog 92. This insert is normally urged downwardly into engagement with the element strip by means or a spring I88 (Fig. 2) connected to an arm I82 projecting upwardly from the spindle I84 in which insert 98 (Fig. 3) is carried.

The angular movement of the feed lever 88 is comparatively slight, and while the dog 82 is rigidly secured to the end of the feed lever, the resulting sideward movement of the feed dog and feed tooth is mall enough to be accommodated by simply permitting such sideward movement. The feed tooth is made without side walls which would engage the sides of the element strip, and is made somewhat wider than the projections on the element strip so as to remain in engagement therewith during any such sideward movement.

The element strip is held against backward movement during return movement of the feed dog, by means of a check dog or strip lock I88 (Fig. 3), this comprising an insert carried by a spindle I88 which in turn has an upwardly ex- IIII (Fig. 2) to which a pull spring I I2 is connected.

The punch and ram construction is shown in greater detail in Figs. 4 through 8 or the drawings. The punch 48 carries a cross-bar H4 at its lower end, this cross-bar being secured to side extensions or heels H8 (Fig. 6) which ex- .edge H8 or the punch. The cross-bar II4 closes the lower end of the forming a mensioned to receive the operated on by the, punch. construction, the shear the'element strip downwardly away from the endmost element resting on the die 48 (Fig. 1

H4 is preferably detachably sein order not to interfere with grinding or sharpening of the punch when it has been dulled. The punch is preferably made of uniform cross-section throughout its length so that it may be resharpened many times, and

- much of its length usefully employed. sWith this same object in view,

the cross-bar! is prefthe punchby means of a pair of long, slender screws I22 which pass upwardly through holes running through the heels or the punch and extending upwardly throughout the The threaded upper ends of these screws are received in a block I24 mounted at the top of the punch and bearing against the end part I28 of the aforesaid stud III. The stud I28 applies the operating force erably secured to of ram 68 to the punch 48, although the punch is additionally secured to the'ram by rows or set screws I28. The ram 66 is slidable in ways I38 (Fig. 5) which are themselves mounted on ram housing 38 by means of screws I32. These are received in over-sized holes, thus affording adjustment of the ways I38 under control of adjusting screws I34. It has already been mentioned that the sore 88 (Fig. 4) on the rocker or ram lever 12, may

be adjusted to compensate for grinding the cutting edge of punch 48. After extensive wear. the

(the new end of the strip) punch is reset in the ram, and for this purpose the ram is provided with a series of spaced threaded holes I36, I38 and I40. The spacing between these holes may, for example, be onehalf inch, in which case the range of adjustment of the screw 80 should be one-half inch or nearly that.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, I there show the punch in its lowermost position on the ram, this position being reached only after more than half 4 the length of the punch has been ground away.

The force of the ram is applied to the block I24 at the upper end of the punch, by means of a square-headed stud I42, said studbeing received in the hole I40. It will be understood that in intermediate stages of punch wear, the stud I42 is positioned in the hole I36, then in the hole I38, and finally in the hole I40.

The screws holding the cross-bar I I4 have been changed, the screws I22 being like the screws I22, but shorter. Several pairs of such screws are used, preferably in length corresponding to the step-by-step movement of the stud I42. These screws are threaded far enough to accommodate the small, individual sharpenings' or grindings of the punch, the upper ends.of the screws projecting through the bar or nut I24 as the punch is worn. Theoretically, there is no reason why the original pair of long screw I22 might not be used, these screws then being threaded nearly throughout their length, but because of the extremely long, slender nature of the screws, I prefer to thread the same for only I. limited distance, and to use other screws of shorter length as the punch is more extensively worn.

Theoretically, the holes in the punch might be tapped or threaded for the reception of short screws. However, this would have to be done for the full distance before hardening the punch, and I prefer not to even attempt so diflicult a threading operation.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 9 and 10 of the drawings, the feed lever 88 may be locked in its outer position, thereby interrupting the feed of the element strip l2. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, this is don in order to provide gaps in the elements secured to the tape, these gaps being, say, two inches long, so that the tape may be severed into individual stringers each having about an inch of spare tape at its ends. A suitable counter is schematically indicated at I44 in Fig. 2, this beingoperated by link I46 connected to a crank pin I48 on cam I shaft 40. The counter may beof the type shown in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,167,259, issued July 25, 1939, and entitled Counter. In said patent, a circuit is closed for energizing a solenoid-controlled mechanismduring the gap-spacing inter val. Such a mechanism is shown in my aforesaid Patent No. 2,201,068. A modified and improved solenoid mechanism,iwhich may be responsive-to same counter mechanism, is employed with the present apparatus.

Referring to Fig. 9, a solenoid I50 ismounted beneath the table I52 of the machine, with its core I54 movable vertically. In Fig. 9, it is shown In the elevated position which it assumes when the solenoid is energized. The core is connected by means of a screw I58 to end I60 of which is moved into the path of the feed lever 88. In order to avoid wear, a hardenedwear plate I62 is preferably secured at the bot-; tom of the feed lever 88, but this moves with and acts as a part of the feed lever. It rides on a a lock I58, the upper element wire.

strip lock I06.

stationary wear plate I64. In Fig. 10, the rod I58 is shown in the dropped or lowered position which it assumes when the solenoid is deenergized, and at this time the upper end I60 is disposed beneath the hardened stationary wear plate I64 on which the movable wear plate I60 rides. The wear plate is hired on top of a boss I66 cast integrally with the machine table I52. The rod I68 carried in feed lever 88 is the shaft or spindle on which the cam roller of the feed lever rotates.

The operation of the machine may be described with particular reference to Figs. 11 through 14 of the drawings, which show successive stages in the operating cycle. In Fig. 11, the element strip I2 is being fed forwardly to bring the jaws 52 of the endmost element astride the beaded edge I10 of the tape 28. At this time the. punch 46 is in elevated position. and the strip I2 is being fed forwardly by movement toward the right of feed dog 92 and tooth 98. The forward end of strip I2 is elevated by the punch cross-bar H4, and this elevation is so adjusted as to raise the strip slightly from the surface of the die 48 in order to permit the strip to be fed over a locatingpilot I12 forming a part of die 48 andprojecting upwardly therefrom. This pilot is adapted to be received in the recess at the bottom of the endmost element in order to properly locate the element during the cutting operation. As strip I2 is fed-toward the right by feed tooth 98, the strip lock I06 rises to pass over the projection I14.

Fig. 12 illustrates the cutting operation. The endmost element is resting on die 48,.the recess at the bottom of the element being disposed on the pilot I12 previously referred to. The end portion of strip I2 has beenflexed downwardly'slightly (the curvature is exaggerated in the drawings) by the shearing action of punch 46, which is now in its lowermost position. 'The locking tooth I06 is disposed behind the projection I14 of strip l2. Although the clamping jaws (56 in Fig.2) are not shown in this figure. it will be understood that they are operated to clamp the element jaws 52 around the tape bead I10 while the element still rests on die 48. Element jaws 52 seem shortened in Fig. 12 because they are assumed to be still in angular or spread position.

Fig. 13 illustrates the return movement of the punch and-feed dog. Punch 48 has risen partway. The element strip now rests on and has been raised slightly by the cross-bar H4. The tape 28 has also experienced part'of its upward feed movement, thereby lifting the clamped element 52 upwardly somewhat from die 48. The feed dog 92 has moved part of its return stroke toward the left, the feed tooth 98 rising to pass over the projection I16. The strip is locked by Fig. 14 shows the parts in their end position. The strip lock I06 still bears against the projection I14. The feed tooth 98 has moved well back of the projection I16, the feed stroke of tooth 98 being made slightly greater than the pitch of the may, of course, be illustrated by reverting to Fig. 11, in which the strip is being fed toward the tape by the feed dog.

The punch cross-bar II4 has It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of my improved apparatus for making slide fasteners, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. The machine is simple,.has a minimum of parts,- and these are given as short a stroke as possible, and are minimized in mass,-thus giving the machine a, high operating speed. The punch cross-bar replaces the usual elaborate, complex spring pad arrangements. Despite the use of this cross-bar, the punch may be sharpened or reground, and in fact, this may be done repeatedly so as to use a substantial part of the length of the punch. The strip feed mechanism, as well as the punch and die mechanism, are simplified and lightened, in order to reduce the cost and to increase the operating speed of the machine.

The strip lock for interrupting the feed of elements to the tape has also been simplified.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

- 1. Apparatus for the manufacture of slide fasteners, said apparatus comprising a stationary die for supporting a fastener element to be cut from a strip of connected fastener elements, means to intermittently feed the strip, a punch for operating on said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left -on the stationary die surface, said punch having downward extensions at the sides of the strip and having a. cross bar secured to the lower end of said extensions thereby forming a passage through the punch in which the aforesaid strip is received, said cross bar being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position after the cutting operation and preparatory to the next feed movement of the strip over the die.

2. Apparatus for the manufactur of slide fasteners, said apparatus comprising a stationary die including an upwardly projecting pilot for properly locating a fastener element to be cut from a strip of connected fastener elements, means to intermittently feed the strip, a punch for operating on said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left on the stationary die surface and pilot, said punch having downward extensions at the sides of the strip and having a cross bar secured to the lower end of said extensions thereby forming a passage through the punch in which the aforesaid strip is received, said die being devoid of spring pads or the like and the cross being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position -after the cutting operation and preparatory to the next feed movement of the strip over the-die and 13110 bar of the punch 3. Apparatus for the manufacture of slide fasteners, said apparatus comprising a stationary die supporting a fastener element to be cut from a strip of connected fastener elements, means to intermittently feed the strip, a. punch for operating on said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left onthe stationary die, said punch having heels extending downward at the sides of the strip of the punch, a cross bar at the lower end of the punch, slender screws passing vertically through the cross bar and heels in order to detachably hold the cross bar in position so as to permit grinding or sharpening of the lower end of the punch, said means to intermittently means to intermittently feed .duce a haped cut, a ram cross bar being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position after the cutting operation and preparatory to the next feed movement of the strip over the die.

4. Apparatus comprising a stationary die for supporting an element to be cut from a strip of connected elements, means to intermittently feed the .strip, a punch for operating on. said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left on the stationary die, said punch having heels extending downward at the sides of the strip, holes extending through said heels longitudinally of the punch all the way to the upper end of the punch, a cross bar at the lower end of the punch, long slender screws passing upwardly through the cross bar and through said holes to a threaded member at the top of the punch, in order to detachably hold the cross bar in position so as to permit grinding or sharpening of th lower end of the punch, said cross bar being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position after the cutting operation and preparatory to the next feed movement of the strip over the die.

5. Apparatus for the manufacture of slide fasteners, said apparatus comprising a stationary die including an upwardly projecting pilot for properly locating a fastener element to be cut from a strip of connected fastener elements, the strip, a punch for operating on said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left on the stationary die and pilot, said punch having heels extending downward at the sides of the strip, holes extending through said heels longitudinally of the punch all the way to the upper end of the punch, a cross bar at the lower end of the punch, long slender screws passing upwardly through the cross bar and through said holes to an appropriately threaded member at the top of the punch, in order to detachably hold the cross bar in position so as to permit grinding or sharpening of the lower end of the punch, aid cross bar being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position after the cutting operation and preparatory to the next feed movement of the strip over the pilot and die.

6. Apparatus including a die, means to intermittently feed a strip of connected elements through the die, a relatively long slender punch cooperating with the die for cutting the strip into individual elements, said punch having a uniform cross-section throughout its length, said crosssection being a contoured cross-section to proto which the punch is secured, a ram housing slidably receiving the ram, drive means bearing against the top of the ram and including an adjustable screw for varying the position of the ram and with it the punch to compensate gradually for sharpening of the punch, a stud projecting from said ram at the top end of the punch, and a plurality of spaced holes along the ram for receiving said stud in one of a number of diflferent positions to compensate for extensive shortening of the punch, the aforesaid adjusting screw affording a range of adjustment at least equalling the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram, the ram housing accommodating a range of movement of the ram at least equalling the stroke of the ram plus the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram.

'7. Apparatus for. themanufacture of slide fastener elements, said apparatus including a die,

feed a strip of concutting operation and preparatory nected embryo fastener elements through the die, a relatively long slender punch cooperating with the die for cutting the same into individual fastener elements, said punch having ,a uniform cross-section throughout its length, said crosssection being a contoured cross-section to produce a shaped cut, a ram to which the punch is secured, a ram housing slidably receiving the ram, drive ineans bearing against the top of the ,ram and including an adjustable screw for varying the position of the ram and with it the punch to compensate gradually for sharpening of the punch, a stud projecting from said ram at the top'end of the punch, and a plurality of spaced holes along the ram for receiving said stud in one of a number of difierent positions to compensate for extensive shortening of the punch, the aforesaid adjusting screw afiording a range of adjustment at least equalling the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram, the ram housing accommodating the stroke of the ram plus the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram.

8. Apparatus comprising a stationary die for supporting an element to be cut from a strip of connected elements, means to intermittently feed the strip, a relatively long slender punch for operating on said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left on the stationary die, said punch having a uniform crosssection throughout its length,'said cross-section being a contoured cross-section to produce a shaped out, said punch having heels extending downward at the sides of the strip, a cross bar detachably mounted at the lower end of the punch, said cross bar being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position after the to the next feed movement of the strip over the die, a' ram to which the punch is secured, a ram housing slidably receiving the ram, driving means bearing against the top of the ram and including an adjustable screw for varying the position of the ram and with it the punch to compensate gradually for sharpening of the punch, a stud projecting from said rain at the top end of the punch, and a plurality of spaced holes along the ram for receiving said stud in one of a number of different positions to compensate for extensive shortening of the punch, the aforesaid adjusting screw affording a range of adjustment at least equalling th spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram, the ram housing accommodating the stroke of the ram plus the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram.

9. Apparatus for the manufacture of slide ins-- teners, said apparatus comprising a stationary die including an upwardly projecting pilot for properly locating a fastener element to be cut.

from a strip of connected fastener elements, means to intermittently feed the strip, a relatively long slender punch for operating on said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left on the stationary'dle and pilot, said punch having a uniform cross-section throughout it length, said cross-section being a contoured cross-section to produce a. shaped cut,

said punch having heels extending downward atthe sides of the strip, a cross bar detachably mounted at the lower end of the punch, said cross bar being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position after the cutting operation and preparatory to the next feedmovement of the strip over the pilot and die, a ram to which the with it the punch punch is secured, a ram housing slidably receiving the ram, driving means bearing against the top of the ram and including an adjustaLie screw -for varying the position of the ram and to compensate gradually for sharpening of the punch, a stud projecting from said ram at the top end of the punch, and a plurality of spaced holes alongthe ram for receiving said stud in one of a number of different positions to compensate for extensive shortening of the punch, the aforesaid adjusting screw affording a range of adjustment at least equalling the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram, the ram housing accommodating the stroke of the ram plus the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram.

10. Apparatu for the manufacture of slide fasteners, said apparatus comprising a stationary die including an upwardly projecting pilot for properly locating a fastener element to'be cut from a strip of connected fastener elements, means to intermittently feed the strip, a punch for operating on said strip and for shearing the same downwardly away from an element left on the stationary die surface, said punch having heels extendingdownward at the sides of the strip, holes extending through said heels longitudinally of the punch all the Way to the upper end of the punch, a cross bar at the lower end of the punch, long slender screws passing up wardly through the cros bar and said holes to an appropriately threaded member at the top of the punch in order to detachably hold the cross bar in position so as to permit sharpening of the lower end of the punch, said cross bar being so located that it raises the strip to elevated position after the cutting operation and preparatory to the next feed movement of the strip over the pilot and die, a ram to which the punch is secured, a ram housing slidably receiving the ram, driving mean bearing against the top of the ram and including an adjustable screw for varying the position of the ram and with it the punch to compensate for sharpening of the punch, a stud projecting from said ram at the top end of the punch, and a plurality of spaced holes along the ram for receiving said stud in one of a number of difierent tensive shortening of the punch, the aforesaid adjusting screw afiording a range of adjustment at least equalling the spacing between successive positions of the stud on the ram.

11. Apparatus for the manufacture of slide fasteners, said apparatus including a punch and die for operating on a strip of connected embryo fas.. tener elements having projections, and high speed feed means for intermittently feeding said strip, said feed means comprising a cam, a pivoted feed lever having a cam roller bearing against the cam, a, feed dog mounted directly on said feed lever, a very tiny feed tooth pivotally mounted on the end of said feed dog, and resilient means urging said feed tooth projections on the strip, whereby" the horizontally reciprocable mass is minimized by the omission of slides or. the like for carrying the feed dog; and the transversely reciprocable mass is minimized bylocalizing the same to the relatively minute feed tooth. v

12. -Apparatus for the manufacture of slide fasteners, said apparatus including a punch and die for operating on a strip of connected embryo fastener elements having projections, and high speed feed means for intermittently feeding said strip,

said feed means comprising a cam, a pivoted feed positions to compensate for ex into engagement with the weight metal and having a cam roller bearing against the cam, a feed dog fixedly mounted directly on said feed lever at a point immediately over'the strip, a very small hardened feed tooth pivotally mounted on the end of said feed dog, and resilient means urging said feed tooth downwardly into engagement with the projections on the strip, whereby the horizontally reciprooable mass is minimized by the light-weight feed lever and the omission of slides or the like for carrying the feed dog, and the vertically reciprocable mass is minimized by localizing the same to the relatively minute feed tooth, said tooth being slidable transversely of the projections on the element strip.

13. Apparatus for the manufacture of slide fasteners, said apparatus including a punch and die for operating on a strip of connected embryo fastener elements, feed means for intermittently feeding said strip, said feed means comprising a cam, a horizontal feed lever having a cam roller bearing against the cam, a feed dog moved by said feed lever for engaging and moving the strip, and means to interrupt feed of the element strip for gap spacing, said means comprising a locking pin slidable vertically into an upward position for engaging the feed lever when the cam has moved the lever to outermost position, a solenoid beneath said locking pin, and a solenoid core lever made of duralumin or equivalent lightconnected to said locking pin, the arrangement being such that energizatlon of moves the core and locking pin upwardly into position to lock the feed lever, said core and pin being gravitationally moved downward out of the path of the feed lever when the solenoid is deenergized.

14. Apparatus for the manufacture of slide fasteners from a strip of integrally connected embryo fastener elements, said apparatus comprising a reel of element strip, means to rotatably support the same, brake means to resist too free unwinding of the reel, punch and die means to sever the element strip into individual elements. feed means to intermittently feed the strip, and means to maintain aloop of relatively slack wire between the reel and the feed means, said means comprising an arm pivoted at one end and carrying a rotatable grooved weight at the opposite end, said weight resting on said element strip, and said arm being so located that it is moved upwardly toward a horizontal position when the loop of element strip is shortened, and is lowered toward a vertical position when the loop of element 'strip is lengthened, the brake being so adjusted that its static friction is overcome by the weight when the weight arm is moved toward horizontal position.

GEORGE W.

the solenoid 

